[robertpaulsen]

"My earlier post shows that the phrase "well regulated" did not, at the time, refer to an organization operating under lots of regulations."

Correct. It meant well trained, well armed, and well organized. That's obvious when reading the Militia Act of 1792.

[Dead Corpse]

That every citizen, so enrolled and notified, shall, within six months thereafter, provide himself with a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, and a knapsack, a pouch, with a box therein, to contain not less than twenty four cartridges, suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of power and ball; or with a good rifle, knapsack, shot-pouch, and power-horn, twenty balls suited to the bore of his rifle, and a quarter of a power of power; and shall appear so armed, accoutred and provided, when called out to exercise or into service, except, that when called out on company days to exercise only, he may appear without a knapsack. - Militia Act of 1792.

Ok dumbass. How are militiamen supposed to "provide himself" with anything if they don't have an "unalienable" RKBA that is the "Supreme law of the Land" the "laws of any State to the contrary not withstanding"?

[smoketree]

How do you explain the fact that machine guns were easily available before the NFA? No backround checks, permits, taxes, etc. Mail order was legal too.
Did EVERYONE just miss the meaning of the 2d up until then?
Was Sears violating the 2d by selling Thompsons?